Nassau Airport

Arrival in NAS off a BA 767. Only about 50 PAX got off (the rest of a half full 767 were going on to Turks and Caicos). Customs and immigration very pleasant and quite fast - but then we were the only flight arriving at this time (4 pm on a Sunday). In spite of so few incoming passengers it took nearly 45 minutes for our luggage to arrive. Hate to think what it would be like if things were really busy. Walk from the airbridge was through a new part of the terminal - which then ended as an open walled tent. Fine when the weather is nice but on this day was bucketing it down with high winds and 13 C temperatures.

We arrived at Nassau International Airport 2.5 hours prior to our departure time. With the chaotic check in system this airport has we were very lucky to make our scheduled flight. We checked in and then had to stand in a line for security which snaked around the inside and in fact started outside the airport - with no visible personnel or signs to direct people on where to go. Other passengers who felt they were too "important" to go through this procedure were cutting into these lines that we stood in for close to two hours and there seemed to be no airport staff that cared. And in fact those few we did encounter were very rude. I do realize that this is a very small airport but they need to improve this situation drastically before I will return.

Nassau airport is fully air conditioned and endures long lines because of The US pre-clearance facilities. Peak hours 11am - 2pm. Security will be stricter than most other airports in the world because your getting pre-cleared there. Many people don't fully understand that. There are multiple bathrooms and little snack shops downstairs at check-in. However only 1 restaurant 1 bar 1 gift shop and bathrooms upstairs. The air condition was i believed damaged during the passing of a hurricane and subsequently it malfunctioned 1 day. A new one has long since installed. The airport is airconditioned throughout every terminal and section. Departures - There are no Bahamian Customs or Immigration for departure. Any checks you stop to strictly involves the US Customs and Immigration. So complaining about long lines have nothing at all to do with the Country. If the agents feel it necessary they will stop and further question you. Arrivals - Immigration is smooth with up to 10 stations opened. The problem - many people incorrectly or don't fill out the Immigration card causing hold ups on the lines. Customs is a breeze for any tourist. Once you have not brought any plant animal etc into the country. They wave you right through.

After reading the reviews about Nassau Airport I was beginning to wonder what we had gotten ourselves into with a trip to Paradise Island in mid September of 2005. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Nassau Airport was air conditioned and very clean. The walk to immigration and then on to baggage claim was well marked and not unreasonable. The walk gave us the chance to get the “kinks” out from sitting on the plane. Once at baggage claim we only had to wait about 10 minutes for our luggage to arrive. Customs went smoothly with at least 5 stations open processing passengers very quickly. The staff were very polite and helpful. Yes there is only one restaurant and one M and F restroom and one sundries/gift shop and one bar but this is a small airport. I can’t comment on the quality of the food or restrooms since we didn’t use either. The return trip went equally smooth. We did have to go through 3 security checks and I was selected for a random pat down. The security officer was very professional with her direction. It was almost comical since I had already put all my metal objects into the security basket and as I was searched she questioned what’s this? what’s that? as I pulled out lifesavers earplugs comb and a fig Newton bar from my pockets. Admittedly we went during the off season so I can’t comment on how it would have been packed with people during the prime season.